View full sizeJames P. Stettner II, seen here during an October 2011 arrest, was the subject of an investigation last month on suspicion he was under the influence while on duty, according to an internal affairs report obtained by The Express-Times. Express-Times File Photo

Phillipsburg police administrators planned to monitor the behavior of a patrolman who was investigated for suspicions he was "under the influence while on duty," according to an internal affairs report obtained by The Express-Times.

The report about police officer James P. Stettner II was filed by his brother, Capt. Robert Stettner, who determined James Stettner II "did not exhibit any signs of intoxication."

Instead, Robert Stettner and a second supervisor told Warren County Prosecutor's Office administrators who investigated the suspicions that James Stettner II's behavior was due to a lack of sleep and consumption of energy drinks that made him "jittery," the Aug. 29 report states.

The patrolman agreed to meet Sept. 3 with Robert Stettner and town police Chief James Faulborn "to formulate a plan to monitor his behavior." The report does not indicate any disciplinary action was to be taken.

Early morning shift

According to the report, James Stettner II was working on a sweep of registered sex offenders being coordinated by the U.S. Marshals Service from 5 to 9 a.m. Aug. 29. That same day, prosecutor's office Chief William Eppell and Deputy Chief Kirk Trauger went to the Phillipsburg police station to investigate a complaint filed by an unidentified individual that James Stettner II was observed to be under the influence while on duty.

The report does not specify any substance James Stettner II was suspected of being under the influence of.

Eppell and Trauger spoke with Robert Stettner, who told them that prior to learning of the complaint, his brother had complained of trouble sleeping the night before, a recurring issue at the time, according to the report. As a result, the patrolman drank two Monster Energy drinks that had made him "jittery," according to Robert Stettner's report.

Sgt. John Franceschino, who shared a vehicle with James Stettner II during the Marshals Service detail, was also questioned by Eppell, the report states. He, too, said Stettner told him of having had trouble sleeping the night before.

He told investigators he saw James Stettner II drinking energy drinks while they were on assignment and that "Patrolman Stettner appeared normal other than probably being overly tired," the report states.

'Jimmy was Jimmy'

Prosecutor's office Detective Brian Graupe was also interviewed, the report says, and told Eppell and Trauger that "Jimmy was Jimmy" and the only thing out of the ordinary was James Stettner II was "very sweaty."

Eppell and Trauger concluded their investigation with the recommendation that Phillipsburg police officials "monitor the situation" and speak with James Stettner II in an attempt to "identify any other issues," the report states.

A call for comment to Eppell was directed to Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke, who declined comment, citing New Jersey Attorney General's Office guidelines. Faulborn declined to comment on the report or say if any disciplinary action was taken, calling it a personnel matter.

Robert Stettner, James Stettner II and their father, Phillipsburg Councilman James Stettner, did not return calls for comment. Mayor Harry Wyant said he was unaware of the investigation.

In June 2012, James Stettner II, then a detective with Phillipsburg police, pleaded guilty in Alpha Municipal Court to shooting a firearm within 300 feet of a residence and was fined $1,250.

In November 2011, he used his duty gun to fire four rounds into the gravesite of former Phillipsburg Middle School teacher and wrestling coach Jason Lee Frey at United Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Alpha. James Stettner II -- then a detective -- claimed he fired the shots in a celebration of Frey, according to the police report.